Ludacris says goodbye to braides

It's been reported the rap star Ludacris has cut his long braids that have been his signature trademark for nearly a decade. Chris Bridges, aka Ludacris, said after years of wearing braids, cornrows and a fro he has run out of new styles for his hair and it was time for the change.

"This album that's coming out is so different than all the record material that I've recorded over the past four albums that I needed to complement the new sound with a new look," Bridges said by phone from Los Angeles. He also added the album, "Release Therapy," is a clear departure that tackles more serious issues like the government and its response to Hurricane Katrina, being a father to his daughter, Karma and his relationship with God.

Ludacris' new album will be the fifth and final album under the record label Def Jam, which is the label that gave the artist his first deal. Bridges stated as his final chapter comes to a close at Def Jam he feels mature beyond his years. "It's a lot of things that I'm speaking on that I've never talked about," he says. "I felt like people knew who Ludacris was, but people never knew who Chris Bridges was."

In the last couple of years we have seen Ludacris on the big screen in supportive roles in Oscar winning "Crash" and "Hustle & Flow." He is planning his next big screen role, and wants to do comedy one day soon.

In Ludacris' new video "Money Maker" which is the first single off his new album fans will get to see his new hair do, and for the time being "Money Maker" can be streamed at http://www.ludacris.net.